V-Hawks Win Opening Round, Qualify for 10th Straight Final Site

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Volleyball team, ranked #5 in the final NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll, won their NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament Opening Round match against Bryan College (Tenn.) at home on Saturday night. The V-Hawks improve to 31-4 on the year, while the Lion's season ends at 22-12.

Jada Mitchell and Grace Rohde contributed kills as the V-Hawks jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first, and Martina McGrath recorded back-to-back kills as the lead grew to 13-6. The defense stepped up as McGrath and Sadie Treptow combined for a block, and Mitchell posted a solo block to bring the score to 21-13. Mitchell recorded the final two kills as Viterbo scored the last six points of the set.

Mitchell recorded the first three points for the V-Hawks in the second as well, but Bryan still led 4-3 early. Viterbo responded with a 10-1 run, fueled by four kills by McGrath and three from Kenzie Winker. McGrath and Treptow combined for two blocks amidst another 4-0 run, and a late Kenidi McCabe service ace helped secure the 25-15 win.

Rohde and McGrath led the V-Hawks as they jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the third set, followed by a Winker kill and Maddie Connor ace. Late in the match, Winker, Rohde, and McGrath each put together strings of consecutive kills, leading to the 25-17 win.

Rohde led the V-Hawks with 14 kills and 14 digs, while Winker had 11 and 11, McGrath had 13 kills on .611 hitting and four blocks, and Mitchell added 10. Cailie Kowal dished 22 assists, and Connor contributed 18. Lillie Van Metre had nine kills for the Lions.

The V-Hawks will travel to Sioux City for their 10^th straight trip to the Women's Volleyball Championship final site. For more information, click here.